TechNet May - Jun 09: Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2

UNPLUGGED TechNet Stream: Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2

Session 1: Welcome to Windows 7

In designing Windows 7, the engineering team had a clear focus on what we call ‘the fundamentals': performance, application and device compatibility, reliability, security and battery life. Feedback from beta users and reviewers of Windows 7 indicate that the attention on fundamentals is resonating well with many users and professionals. This session will explore the new Windows 7 release, with enhanced security and control, secure anywhere access that makes users more productive, and seamless desktop management tools. We will discuss networking features such as DirectAccess and BranchCache and management improvements such as PowerShell V2.0, Group Policy enhancement, deployment features including virtual desktop infrastructure improvements, and Troubleshooting Packs.

Next we will discuss data protection features such as BitLocker and BitLocker to go, and core security improvements including UAC and AppLocker to ensure a secure desktop platform. Finally, the session will explore Windows 7 power efficiency improvements to reduce energy costs and improve battery life. Come see firsthand what all the buzz is about in this demo-intensive session.

Session 2: Introduction to Windows Server 2008 R2

Microsoft is excited to soon be launching Windows Server 2008 R2, the newest release from the Windows Server family. Join us for this no nonsense technical session, where we will discuss the critical improvements in the next version of Windows Server, including a technical overview of key features and benefits. Keeping with our 2/4 year major/minor release cycle, Windows Server 2008 R2 will be an 'R2 Style' release to address important industry trends including multi-core/many-core, virtualisation, power management, componentisation, and the change to a native 64-bit only architecture. Attend this session and understand how to you cut down on the amount of time you spend doing mundane tasks, reduce end user frustration and support headaches, and give your mobile workforce a competitive edge through ubiquitous access to company data - save time and money through an upgraded Windows Server infrastructure.

Installfest (Optional)

At the end of the sessions, you will have an opportunity to install the Windows 7 Release Candidate on your own machine. You bring your computer - we bring the Windows 7 installation and a Microsoftee to help.

A test PC for the Windows 7 RC should meet these minimum hardware recommendations:

1 GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor
1 GB of system memory
16 GB of available disk space
Support for DirectX 9 graphics with 128 MB memory (in order to enable Aero theme)
DVD-R/W Drive or machine that supports booting from USB

Please bring a spare, non-production computer to install the software onto. We will help with loading Windows 7 onto your machines, and will have wired or wireless Internet connections available for drivers and updates. If for some reason, Windows 7 does not have the appropriate driver for your computer hardware, we will do our best to download drivers off the Internet and get them onto a USB key for you. We won’t be able to provide “support” afterwards, but we’ve created an online forum where you can ask questions.

If you didn’t get a chance to download your own copy of Windows 7 RC we will have a supply of Windows 7 DVDs.

What you need to know before installing the RC.

Register for a Windows 7 RC product key

Agenda

8.45am: Registrations
9am - 10:30am: Session 1 - Windows 7
10:30am - 11:00am: Break / Morning Tea
11:00am - 12:30pm: Session 2 - Windows Server 2008 R2
12:30pm - 1:30pm: Installfest (Optional)

This is a Level 300 event for IT Pros. Free to register, dates and locations below.

Locations & Registration

Venue	Date		Map

PALMERSTON NORTH	Mon 25 May		Palmerston North Convention Centre
Palmerston North Convention Centre Seminar Room 354 Main Street, Palmerston North	8.45am 9am 10.30am 11am 12.30pm 1.30pm	Registration Session 1 Morning Tea Session 2 Installfest Concludes


TAURANGA	Tue 26 May		Sebel Trinity Wharf Tauranga
Sebel Trinity Wharf Tauranga Trinity 3 51 Dive Crescent, Tauranga	8.45am 9am 10.30am 11am 12.30pm 1.30pm	Registration Session 1 Morning Tea Session 2 Installfest Concludes


HAMILTON	Wed 27 May		SkyCity Hamilton
SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Room 2 346 Victoria Street, Hamilton	8.45am 9am 10.30am 11am 12.30pm 1.30pm	Registration Session 1 Morning Tea Session 2 Installfest Concludes


AUCKLAND	Thu 28 May		Heritage Hotel Conference Centre
Heritage Hotel Conference Centre Robert Laidlaw Room 2 11 Wyndham Street, CBD Auckland	8.45am 9am 10.30am 11am 12.30pm 1.30pm	Registration Session 1 Morning Tea Session 2 Installfest Concludes


CHRISTCHURCH	Wed 3 June		Hotel Grand Chancellor
Hotel Grand Chancellor Chancellor 5 161 Cashel Street, Christchurch	8.45am 9am 10.30am 11am 12.30pm 1.30pm	Registration Session 1 Morning Tea Session 2 Installfest Concludes


DUNEDIN	Thu 4 June		Scenic Circle Southern Cross
Scenic Circle Southern Cross Cargill Room Corner Princes and High Streets, Dunedin	8.45am 9am 10.30am 11am 12.30pm 1.30pm	Registration Session 1 Morning Tea Session 2 Installfest Concludes


WELLINGTON	Fri 5 June		Intercontinental Hotel Wellington
Intercontinental Hotel Wellington Lambton 2 2 Grey Street, Wellington	8.45am 9am 10.30am 11am 12.30pm 1.30pm	Registration Session 1 Morning Tea Session 2 Installfest Concludes

Speaker -

Nathan Mercer

Nathan has been working with Microsoft-based networks since the "good ol' days" of Windows NT 3.x, and has been with Microsoft New Zealand since 2000 as a Systems Engineer, Technology Specialist and now as an IT Pro Technology Advisor. He is responsible for making sure New Zealand’s IT Pro’s are fully briefed on infrastructure-related Microsoft software.

Visit Nathan’s blog

Please note that agendas are subject to change without notice.